πάντως
pántōs
G3843 adverb
SILEX Entry
Definition
Adverb indicating totality or completeness in relation to a statement; in any case, certainly, altogether, without exception, in every way. Depending on context, it can emphasize thoroughness ('entirely', 'completely'), affirmation ('certainly', 'surely'), or, when used with negatives, absolute negation ('by no means', 'in no way').
Semantic Range
entirely, certainly, altogether, in every way, surely, by all means, at all, in any case, with negatives: in no way, by no means
Root / Etymology
Formed from the adjective πᾶς ('all', 'every') with the adverbial suffix -ως, indicating manner or degree; thus, 'in every way' or 'altogether'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, πάντως is used to convey the idea of totality or certainty—'altogether', 'assuredly', 'in every way'. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods, as seen in the Septuagint, New Testament, and other writings, it often functions as a general adverb for 'certainly', 'assuredly', or 'by all means'. Its force varies by context: it can indicate that something applies wholly, without exception, or serve as an emphatic particle enhancing the assertion. With negatives (οὐ, μή), πάντως switches to mean 'by no means' or 'in no way', conveying strong negation. Standard English translations often render πάντως according to context—'certainly', 'altogether', 'by all means', or (with negatives) 'not at all', but may underrepresent the adverb’s force in idiomatic Greek. The term is related to the adjective πᾶς and shares with it the semantic notion of all-inclusiveness or total reference. Relative to other totalizing adverbs (e.g., παντελῶς, τελείως), πάντως is frequent and flexible, appearing in philosophical, rhetorical, and everyday language.
Translation Consistency
pántōs primarily marks totality or completeness; 'completely' is a natural, idiomatic adverb that captures the typical sense (entirely/altogether) while still working in affirmative and negative contexts. It is more natural than formal alternatives like 'entirely' or 'altogether' and fits the majority of attested renderings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
adverb from πᾶς; entirely; specially, at all events, (with negative, following) in no event:--by all means, altogether, at all, needs, no doubt, in (no) wise, surely.
Root Family
παντ- (pantachoû) — all, every, whole
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G3837 | πανταχοῦ | in every place |
| G3840 | πάντοθεν | from all sides |
| G3842 | πάντοτε | at all times |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3843-01 |
πάντως | pantos | ADV |
altogether | of every | certainly | 8 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3843-01 |
Luke 4:23 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
surely | of every | certainly |
G3843-01 |
Acts 21:22 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
certainly | of every | certainly |
G3843-01 |
Acts 28:4 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
Certainly | of every | certainly |
G3843-01 |
Romans 3:9 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
in no wise | of every | at all |
G3843-01 |
1 Corinthians 5:10 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
altogether | of every | of completely |
G3843-01 |
1 Corinthians 9:10 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
altogether | of every | of completely |
G3843-01 |
1 Corinthians 9:22 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
by all means | of every | by all means |
G3843-01 |
1 Corinthians 16:12 | πάντως | pantos | ADV |
at all | of every | at all |